Tulbagh is one of the most complete examples of an 18th and 19th century village in South Africa.  Seriously damaged by an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale in 1969, buildings have been restored with painstaking care. Amongst much else, there exists an entire street, named Church Street,   of Cape Dutch architecture in which every building has been declared a national monument.  The village celebrates this restoration in grand style on the last Saturday of October each year when the street comes alive for the Tulbagh Festival.  This festival is enhanced by falling during what is probably the most beautiful season of the year. 

Topography & Climate

The Tulbagh valley is a beautiful horseshoe shaped idyll, surrounded by mountains up to 2200m high.   To the north and west is the Groot Winterhoek wilderness area and to the east, the Witzenberg mountain range.

Tulbagh falls within the winter rainfall area but has less rain than Cape Town, approximately 600mm per year.  During winter there are regular snow falls on the mountains, while the summer is hot and dry. The combination of mountains and cultivated land makes for awe inspiring scenery with green vineyards and fruit orchards in the north to mainly wheat in the southern section.

 
GROOT WINTERHOEK WILDERNESS AREA
Location & Access:  From Tulbagh take the R46 in the direction of Wellington.  Turn  right onto to R44 to Porterville.  Take the gravel road northwards to Dasklip Pass and follow this road to the nearest forest station.  Permits are required and must be obtained 3 months in advance; numbers of visitors are strictly controlled.
Accommodation:  3 huts at De Tronk may be used by hikers for shelter, but there are no facilities; camping is permitted.

Other facilities:  Hiking trails
Open:  Throughout the year
Opening time:  0730 to 1630

For further information:  The Forester, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, PO Box 26, Porterville 6810  Tel: 02623 2900

Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area extends over 30,608 hectares and lies within the mountain range of the same name.  The highest of several peaks is Groot Winterhoek (2077m), and there are also numerous deep gorges and many clear streams and pools.  The vegetation is predominantly montane fynbos (heath), with isolated pockets of forest.  The area is well known for the abundance of ericas and disas during January and February.  Hikers may spot baboon, rock dassie, klipspringer, grey rhebok and common duiker, but the more elusive leopard is seldom seen.  Although not abundant, bird species such as black and booted eagles, jackal buzzard, grey- winged francolin and bar-throated apalis may be observed.

Eighty per cent of the average annual rainfall of 1200mm occurs between April and September, and snow is common during winter.

MATROOSBERG RESERVE
Location & access: situated on the farm Erfdeel, approximately 35km from Ceres and 40 minutes drive from Tulbagh.
Accommodation:  Bokwagterhuis - this fully equipped self catering unit sleeps six.  It has a big fireplace, hot shower, fridge and oil lamps (no electricity).  This historic house, situated at the foot of the mountain, was built more than 100 years ago.  Skihut - this open plan mountain hut sleeps 20 and can be reached by car.  Indoor bathroom, hot showerc, fireplace (no electricity)
For more info contact: Cadre or Andre Smith on 023 3122282 (fax) 023 3123759) erfdeel@mweb.co.za
The Matroosberg Reserve covers more than 1000 hectares of mountain area, and reaches the Matroosberg Peak, which at an altitude of 2247m, is the highest in the Boland.

Their mission statement;

"God created this beautiful mountain and we must conserve it.  But to keep it under lock and key would be pointless.  Our mission is conservation through utilization.  We want to give more people the opportunity to walk in nature and experience the creation."

From the mountain road, (access only by 4x4) a beautiful panoramic view over the Warm Bokkeveld, Ceres Droe Hoek, Koue Bokkeveld and the Ceres Karoo can be enjoyed.  From the Matroosberg Peak you have a wonderful view of the mountains of the Western Cape.  Many other mountain peaks can be identified, such as Witzenberg, Cederberg, and Du Toits-kloof mountains, and on a clear day even Table Mountain is visible.  The Groothoekkloof, with its dazzling height and rock cliffs, also presents you with a breathtaking view.

 
During the winter months, Matroosberg is often covered in snow.  After a good snowfall, the northern slopes remain snow clad for quite some time and you can drive to the snow in your 4x4 vehicle.  This area is also well known for the private ski slope situated on the neighbouring land.

Flora and Fauna include 66 species of birds, as well as klipspringers, gryribbok and dassies.  Babbons living in the Reserve permanently are an open invitation to the occasional leopard paying a visit.  12 species of Proteace have been identified and the evasive bergrosie, the skoomrosie and nuwejaarblom, together with a host of fynbos species are to be seen.

Activities offered in the Matroosberg Reserve;

A 4x4 Trail to a height of 1920m above sea level (average degree of difficulty) - the presence of snow turns a 4x4 drive during the winter into a unique experience.  Allow 3 hours for the drive, as well as at least another hour to enjoy the view from different vantage points.  Camping on the route is allowed.  Permits can be obtained at Erika's Kafee, 25 Voortrekker St, Ceres, or at the Reserve.

Hiking trails to the Matroosberg Peak - the Reserve offers a hiking trail that leads to the top of Matroosberg Peak.  The trail can be completed in a day if you start early.  Camping is allowed in the Reserve and accommodation is available at the foot of the mountain.  Reservations have to be made and permits can be obtained at the Reserve.  The altitude and mountain climate often cause a sudden drop in temperature so come prepared with extra warm clothing.

4x4 Mountain Drive on Bedford Army Truck to the viewpoints and Groothoekkloof - thr truck is made comfortable with padded seats.  Allow 4 hours which includes walks along the clifftop.  Bring warm clothing.  Trips take place on Wednesdays 0930 and Saturdays 0930 and 1400, weather permitting.  Reservations are essential (see phone no above)
Luxury 4x4 mountain drive in a Syncro bus, including picnic baskets
The Dennebal picnic area on the banks of the Spek River (the picnic area can be used free of charge by visitors to other activities)

MURLUDI
Located just outside Tulbagh village, towards Winterhoek

Open the whole year (during wintertime the Tourism Office must be consulted about the weather)

For more information contact: Kobus & Martha van der Westhuizen Tel (023) 2300732

Permits available from tourist office (4 Church St) or at Murludi

Hiking trails:

River Route (4km)

Elsbos Route (10km)

The shorter river route gives an idea of the farming activities and also pass along beautiful mountain fynbos (natural vegetation).  The longer route, the Elsbos Route, for part of the way follow the same route as the River Route, but after that continues for 6km through the fynbos, along the lower hills of the Witzenberg mountains.  The routes are in the northern part of the Tulbagh Valley and some of the finest views.  The walking trails cross mountain streams quite a few times and there is no shortage of fresh water to drink.  The routes are interesting and ever changing - inclines, steep declines, rocks, plains, bridges, natural and manmade steps etc.

Fruit farming, mountain fynbos, bird life, small game like duikers, grysbuck and if you are lucky even klipspringers can be seen.  The middle of September to mid October is the best time for a variety of flowers.  The route goes through clumps of beautiful waboom trees and also small clumps of indigenous bush that have been saved.  Some of the most panoramic views of the Tulbagh Valley are to be seen on this route.  On a clear day even the summit of Table Mountain, 120km away, can be seen.  Walkers get, at specific stages, a good view of the farming activities at Murludi, while parts of our beautiful valley can be seen in the distance.

SILWERFONTEIN
One or two day hiking trail.  Night 1: converted double decker bus (sleeps 10) with shower and toilet.  Boma with braai facilities.  Night 2: Historic Ontongs Cave just below the summit of Ontongskop (815m) with spectacular lake and mountain views (no facilities).

The Hike: (circular route)
Safe parking is provided at the doubledecker base camp after signing in at the Silwerfontein farmhouse.

Day 1:  The hike leads you from here through bluegum and pine forest, beautiful fynbos and shady kloofs.  Hikers will pass through rugged rock formations and extensive protea savanna up to the Saddle (604m).  Now turn left (N) towards Ontongskop along the Wolseley flank of the ridge, passing a plateau before leading steeply up towards the peak.  King proteas are to be found in this area.  Around a rocky edge to the cave (4 hours).

Day 2:  The trail leads from the cave 100m (N) towards Ontongskop (to the peak up the gully), down the gully then turning right towards the mountain road, from where it proceeds (N) over the plateau (protected Mountain Flora Reserve) to the Beacon Peak (634m).  The trail now turns left (W) to the Corner Peak (622m), before descending left (S) diagonally across fynbos slopes, kloofs and the contour path back to the Base Camp.

 
VROLIKHEID

Located just outside the Village of Tulbagh, towards the Winterhoek Mountains.  Vrolikheid is a working farm which offers a number of recreational facilities.
Open all year through
For more information contact Antoinette Tel:023 2300615

Riding
Horses are well schooled and suitable for the novice and experienced rider.  One hour outrides through the fruit trees and vineyards.  Ponies are available so that parents can lead their children with them.  Rides take place at sunset or in the evening to watch the moon.

Fishing
You can fish in the farm dams where there is an abundance of Bass, Karp and Talapia. (R5 per person)

Walking trails and Hikes
Nothing strenuous.  Generally walking through the orchards and taking in the scenery.

Fruit Tours
These are offered on specific days of the week (please call for details) and will be for a maximum of 9 people, transported on your own luxury fruit cart! (see below).  Dried fruit and preserves are sold  throughout the year with fresh fruit sales in season.